Forsyth Medical Center 
Cancer Research
Asian Spice Study
| Ginger, an ancient spice mostly known for its role as a distinctive "flavoring agent" for Asian and Indian food, may one day prove to play a significant role in easing post-chemotherapy nausea and vomiting. |
The Derrick L. Davis Forsyth Regional Cancer Center is conducting a phase II/III randomized, dose-finding, placebo-controlled clinical trial to assess the efficacy of ginger (Zingiber Officinale) for nausea associated with chemotherapy.
According to early, randomized trials, ginger proved more effective than most drugs in preventing gastrointestinal symptoms caused by motion sickness and was more effective than placebo in reducing vomiting related to seasickness. While several studies have also addressed the use of ginger for post-operative nausea and vomiting, little published work has addressed the efficacy of ginger for prevention or treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
- maximize the post-chemotherapy effect of ginger
- assess symptoms prior to taking any ginger, after three days of ginger alone and after three days of ginger plus standard drugs used to prevent nausea or vomiting
- assess anticipatory nausea and acute and delayed post-chemotherapy nausea using validated measures for outcome assessment.
Ginger is generally believed to be the only herb that can prevent symptoms of motion sickness; it has been approved for that use by Germany's Commission E, the agency responsible for regulating use of herbal products there.
For More Information
For more information on this prevention study or others, call (336)718-8461.
